A committee will meet for the first time on Friday, March 4, to begin making rules for tobacco retail licenses in Multnomah County. This includes setting the amount of the annual fees, fines, penalties and other details.
The county plans to begin issuing the annual licenses on July 1, 2016 after a public education campaign. Enforcement is expected to begin in January 2017.
In November 2015, the Board of County Commissioners voted to license businesses that sell tobacco and vaping products after the county posted some of the highest rates of illegal sales to minors according to state and federal regulators. Studies have shown licensing sellers helps drive down the illegal sales.
The ordinance requires all grocers and retailers to get a license in order to sell tobacco and vaping products in Multnomah County. The board also approved an 18-member advisory committee that includes members of the public, business owners, community advocates and Health Department staff. The committee is scheduled to meet again on April 8 and April 22. All meetings are public and the public will have a chance to review draft rules and comment online. A complete list of members and the schedule is here.
The Health Department will review the final rules, which will be adopted by the Board of Commissioners.
Learn more about the health impacts, Board presentations and community concerns around youths and tobacco at Clean Air Multnomah.
Tobacco Retail Licensing Rules Advisory Committee Meeting
Friday, March 4, 2016
Lincoln Building, 421 SW Oak St, Oak Room, Portland
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9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.